MCBA FallCon Comic Book Party!

THE ONE DAY WONDER!

The Midwest Comic Book Association (MCBA) is pleased to announce that the 23rd Annual MCBA FallCon Comic Book Party (aka “The One Day Wonder!”) will take place at the Progress Center located on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

FallCon, one of the premiere comic book events in the midwest with a growing national reputation, is a celebration of the extraordinary marriage between the written word and graphic arts. A fascinating and focused acclaimation of an American born, truly unique, dynamic, ever growing and evolving medium that comic books represent.

“FallCon is a 360-minute nexus of all of the things that make the world of comic books so very compelling and relevant!” said Nick Postiglione, Co-Director of the all-volunteer MCBA. “Over the years, FallCon has been built around the concept of developing community and providing opportunity for all aspects of our growing community to interface in a welcoming and energetic enviroment. The midwest has a long-standing reputation of being a breeder reactor for comic creators of all types, and given the recent appropriation of cutting edge comic book culture by the much larger mainstream media, it’s a great spotlight for the wildly diverse aspects of our exponentially growing creative community. Including superstar creators, working professionals, up-and-comers, Independent & Alternative creators, webcomicers, self-publishers, mini-comic folks, small press, and all creative and format points in between!”

Of course no FallCon could possibly be complete without the hucksters! Offering a super-gigantic comic book marketplace with comic book stores and dealers buying, selling and trading all things comic books. There will be literally tons of comic books (around 500,000 golden age, silver age, bronze age, current and collectible comic books), trade paperbacks, graphic novels, original comic book art, manga, action figures, statues, Star Wars & Trek, unexplicable trinkets, collectibles–and the list goes on into a reasonable approximation of infinity.

At FallCon, expectation of the unexpected is generally expected! Costumed characters, hundreds of door prizes, surprise guests, portfolio reviews, attendees of all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, sexes, and characters and mundanes from all walks of life will converge to join the party. A One Day Wonder of pure comic book action! Now is the time and FallCon is the place where there’s something for everyone and everyone is welcome!

Date of Event: Saturday – October 16 – 2010

Open to Public: 10AM to 4PM

Location of Event:
MN State Fairgrounds – Progress Center
1621 Randall Ave – St. Paul, MN 55108

Event Features: * Free Creator Autographs * Free Parking * Free Portfolio Review * Hundreds of Door Prizes * Costumed Characters * Prize Drawings * Over 100 Comic Book Creators * Dealers from all Over the USA *

Admission: Tickets at the Door. $7 per adult. Children 9 & Under Free. Get $1 off w/a canned foodshelf donation.

Event Website: www.midwestcomicbook.com

Charities:
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund – www.cbldf.org
Minnesota Lupus Foundation – www.lupus.org
Minnesota Foodshelves

MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE!

Click below to view the full-size flyer!

ADAM HUGHES unable to attend Springcon!

For personal reasons, Adam Hughes is unable to attend Springcon. He regrets that he is unable to attend. The MCBA wishes him and Allison well and look forward to seeing them in the future!

We will be making a special announcement next week. Stay tuned!

SpringCon Panel Info!

2010 MCBA SPRINGCON GUEST CREATOR PANELS!

SATURDAY

11AM-12PM: REBEL WITH A CAUSE! – Alt comic book sensation Doug Paszkiewicz will rant, rave & rage about the state of the industry & all things comics! As an added bonus he will provide, in lurid detail, why you will fail spectacularly should you attempt to make a living in the world of comics! No mercy!

12PM to 1PM: SHOOTING STAR! – Meet a true comic book industry legend. A child writer prodigy, worked at DC Comics, Marvel Editor, Valiant Creator–Jim Shooter has done it all! A rare opportunity to meet one of the most unique and gifted players in the world of comic books! Hosted by Terrance Griep.

1PM to 2PM: BRONZE AGE TITANS! – Not a myth, not a legend! Meet industry artistic titans Marvelous Ron Wilson and his peer who worked for the Distinguished Competition, Pat Broderick, both of whom helped set the artistic pace for the glorious Bronze Age of comic books! Not to be missed!

2PM to 3PM: SARAH DOUGLAS – A RESIDENT ALIEN IN HOLLYWOOD – Get up close and with Hollywood’s ‘Queen of Mean’. Take flight with Ursa, Kryptonian Villain in Superman & Superman II as Sarah recounts a diverse and accomplished journey through Hollywood!

3PM to 4PM: COSTUME CONTEST AWARDS! – A regular cavalcade of stars! Costuming has been a long and honored tradition at comic book conventions and here’s your chance to meet this year’s costumed superstars of SpringCon! Bring your camera!

4PM to 5PM: WRITING IS A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM OF SCHIZOPHRENIA! – A casual conversation with one of the most talented writers working in comic books today! Join Marvel Writer Jeff Parker (Atlas, Red Hulk & Thunderbolts) as he discusses his ongoing mission to explore some of the least examined corners and characters of the Marvel Universe! This is the place to be at 4PM!

SUNDAY

9:15 to 9:45 AM: CHAPEL SERVICE - A regular MCBA feature since 2002! What is the source of your strength? Come hear Pastor Ron Hartley speak. Local Christian comics guy Carl Borg will also lead a short time of prayer. Everyone is welcome, but please pick up your gate pass at the Christian Comics table.

11AM to 12PM: SPIRITUAL THEMES IN COMICS! – “Superhero Ethics 101.” (Prerequisites: none) Why do superheroes make the choices they do? Do we agree with the methods they use to make those decisions? Come listen to “Professors” Mike Bullock, Zander Cannon, and Bud Hanzel and “Department Chairman” Carl Borg as we explore the subject.

12PM TO 1PM: LOST? – An exploration of how to break into the world of comic books. Featuring Brent Schoonover, Gordon Purcell, John Kocholek & Phil Hester. A great opportunity to get some expert guidance that will help you find your way in a sometimes confusing industry.

1PM to 2PM: JIM SHOOTER – THE RETURN! – You know about his legendary past! Now it’s time to take a look at Jim’s future! Focusing on the two new titles he’s writing for Dark Horse! Including Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom and Magnus, Robot Fighter. Very cool! Hosted by Terrance Griep.

2:30PM: MCBA CHARITY ART & COLLECTIBLES AUCTION! – Considered by many to one of the premiere events at SpringCon, the charity auction offers a virtual embarrassment of comic book riches! Includes original artwork, sketches, and unique collectibles. The auction is always a don’t miss event! 100% of all the proceeds will be donated to the MN Lupus Foundation and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Cash, Checks, Credit, Debit & LexCorp Cards, Bearer Bonds, Gold Bullion and Loose Meat Sammiches will be accepted.

SpringCon Update 2

Hello Everyone!

As you can imagine, things are heating up here at MCBA HQ. With SpringCon a mere 10 days away, we’re working like crazy to wrap up the final details for what we hope will be the best MCBA event ever!

Some notes for your consideration:

1) The Radisson Hotel, SpringCon HQ hotel, has made available to all SpringCon-ers a very special rate and that offer is ending very soon! So if you have not made your reservations yet, now is the time. You can call them at 651.367.3905 or make your reservations online at:
www.radisson.com/springcon

2) We’ve had a lot of questions about the new SpringCon Picnic area that will be available during show hours (weather permitting). The picnic area will be located just to the East of the main entrance and will have old fashioned picnic benchs and are available on a first come, first served basis.

3) The SpringCon Guest Creator Panels (open to everyone & free), one of the most popular features at MCBA events, will be announced on Monday and we’re here to tell you it looks great!

4) We love costumes at SpringCon! It’s a great opportunity to dress up as your favorite character or create one of your very own! For those of you who are interested, we will be having a costume contest. Participation is simple. Just stop by the costume booth, register and get your picture taken. On Saturday there’ll be award for the kids and Sunday an award for the big kids! Please feel free to e-mail Nathan and Katie at NathanLalum@comcast.net for the complete details.

5) A humble request for your help! Anything you can do to help spread the word about SpringCon would be really appreciated! Special “thanks!” go out to those of you who have put us on your websites and those who have tweeted, blogged, Facebooked, texted and Myspaced us and have generally supported our efforts! We’d really like to turn on the heat and anything you can do would be…well…awesome!

Well, that’s all we’ve got for you for now. We’ll do our best to keep you updated so expect a few more updates in the next week or so.

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing you at SpringCon!

Midwest Comic Book Association Volunteers

Special SpringCon Guest!

Hello, Everyone!

We are pleased and proud to announce a special surprise guest that will be attending the 2010 SpringCon Comic Book Celebration!

Sarah Douglas ( www.sarah-douglas.com ) will be in the house! Sponsored by Krypton Comics ( www.kryptoncomicsomaha.com ) & Spud’s Emporium of
Comics and Games ( www.spudsemporium.com ), Sarah is making her debut appearance!

Her first screen appearance was in the 1973 sci-fi film, The Final Programme, with Jon Finch. The film was based on the book by Michael Moorcock and is a film that Sarah credits as the beginning of a “quite a career in the sci-fi, fantasy mould.”

Soon after this, Sarah’s screen career began to flourish with appearances in top television shows, Space:1999, Return Of The Saint and Thundercloud. Next came more films, such as the controversial The Brute, with Julian Glover, and cult-favourite The People That Time Forgot, maintaining her reputation as the “good girl who was always a bit naughty on the side.” During the shooting of The People That Time Forgot, Sarah was invited to audition for a role that would ultimately take her career to new heights, and mark the turning point.

The casting of as Hollywood’s “Queen Of Mean,” in the role of the super vixen villain Ursa in the big-budget movies, Superman and Superman II, to be filmed concurrently was a brilliant decision by director Richard Donner. Beating over 600 actresses to the part, Sarah was to find herself “flying” at the end of a wire for the next three years as the movies were extensively filmed and reshot by two different directors, Richard Donner and Richard Lester.

After Superman and the world tour she undertook to promote Superman II, Sarah went to America. There, moments before she was to return to the UK, she received a phone call that would make her a household name and face to American television audiences. Sarah was asked to join the cast of the 1980’s TV soap, Falcon Crest, portraying the glamorous, fabulous but scheming Pamela Lynch.

Over the next two decades, Sarah continued to play roles in what she self-referentially styles as “evil, wicked Queens..with different hats on,” finding herself co-starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Tom Selleck, Heather Locklear and Pierce Brosnan in various projects ranging from hits shows such as Magnum PI, Stargate, Remington Steele and fantasy films Conan The Destroyer and Solarbabies. Sarah is continually approached by publishing houses to write her autobiography, however she has chosen to use her experiences as the framework for a novel set in the world of the sci-fi genre and Hollywood glitterati. In addition to her writing, Sarah maintains her career of acting, voiceover work, teaching and accepting invitations to appear at speaking events. Whenever opportunity allows, Sarah likes to attend various conventions and signings around the world in order to meet her fans, of which she is delighted to have many.

In her personal time, Sarah visits her beautiful and beloved Stratford Upon Avon and her family. Her passion for gardening, creating a piece of England’s “green and pleasant land” in the heart of the Hollywood Hills keeps this “Ursa’s” high flying feet on the ground.

In addition, Sarah will be hosting a very special event at SpringCon:

Midwest Comic Book Association Volunteers

SpringCon Update

Hello Everyone!

As promised, here’s the first major update for the MCBA 2010 SpringCon Comic Book Celebration at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on May 15 & 16.

MCBA volunteers have been hard at work putting together what is shaping up to be a really terrific event and we really hope you’re able to make it and that you’ll consider inviting friends and family to attend FallCon as well. Over the past few years our community has grown significantly larger and its been a lot of fun!

The majority of the information contained in this update can be found on our wonderful new web site (maintained by Super Sarah) at www.midwestcomicbook.com.

Please take the time to look through the site in its entirety. There’s alot of reallly good information!

Please feel free to share this information wide and far! We really excited and appreciate your enthusiasm and support!

Thanks for your time and thoughtful consideration! We look forward to seeing you soon and we’ll stay in touch!

Midwest Comic Book Association Volunteers

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO SPRINGCON?

Here’s some suggestions from fellow attendees…

1) COMFORTABLE SHOES – An obvious & overlooked detail!

2) BACKPACK OR BAG – A place to store all of your loot!

3) CASH – Some don’t accept checks & cash is king!

4) LISTS – Bring a complete list of the items you’re looking for!

5) SKETCHBOOK & PENS – Never know which artist you’ll see!

6) YOUR PORTFOLIO – Many artists at SpringCon are willing to do portfolio reviews. Bring your stuff!

7) FOOD & WATER – Keep the reactor fueled!

8 ) A SWEATER OR WIND BREAKER – Just in case!

9) A CAMERA – Don’t be shy about asking people for photo opportunities!

10) FRIENDS – It’s always more fun with a group of friends!

FACTOIDS! THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW!

* GUEST CREATOR PANELS will be running all on both days and will be announced very soon! It’s a great way to get up close and personal with some of your favorite comic book creators and best of all no extra ticket is required and all FallCon Guest Creator Panels are FREE!

* UNUSUAL DISPLAYS will be found throughout FallCon this year! Make sure you circulate throughout the whole building otherwise you might miss something new and exciting!

* FREE PARKING! Follow the signs when entering the fairgrounds via the Snelling Avenue main entrance.

* FREE GRAB BAGS to the 1st 500 Attendees on Saturday & 1st 250 on Sunday!

* FREE Creator Autographs!

* ONCE AGAIN, the MCBA will be supporting three charities at FallCon. They are the Minnesota Lupus Foundation www.lupusmn.org & the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund www.cbldf.org and the Minnesota Food Shelves. 100% of all proceeds go directly to these charities!

* THERE WILL BE an ATM in the building located near the front entrance.

BIG NEWS FROM THE MIDWEST COMIC BOOK ASSOCIATION!

Dear Friends,

We got really good news last week! As most of you know, a lot of the national comic book conventions have changed their event dates for 2010. It started when one of the largest conventions in the country suddenly moved their date to the late fall and quickly, in response, a good chunk of the other conventions followed suit in changing dates. As a result, the MCBA was put into the position of having to move our dates so we wouldn’t have to compete for guest creators. Easier said than done!

Fortunately for all of us, our preferred venue, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, came through with flying colors! They were able to make space for us in the new world comic book convention date order with a slight and very interesting twist!

The Midwest Comic Book Association is pleased to announce our 2010 event dates:

Minnesota State Fairgrounds
In the Grandstand

Something For Everyone
& Everyone Welcome!

22ND ANNUAL TWO-DAY EVENT!

Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Progress Center

Something For Everyone
& Everyone Welcome!

THE ONE-DAY WONDER!

So, in other words, the two day convention will now be held in the spring (SpringCon) and FallCon will be the new one day convention in the Fall!

We’re really excited about the opportunities and challenges that our new journey presents to all of us and invite you and all members of our community to join us as we set sail into the great and exciting unknown!

Finally, a request. We need your help to get the word out to our community about our new dates and times. We humbly request that you provide any assistance you might be able to offer via your e-mails, secret messages, magic, websites, tweeting, blogs, internet, snail mails, telegraph, word of mouth, Pony Express, etc. Any effort you can extend, would be noticed and gracefully accepted!

We appreciate your being a part of our community and THANK YOU for letting us be part of yours! Look for more info and databits in the near future!

The MCBA Geek Squad (The Original Geek Squad)

MCBA FALLCON COMIC BOOK CELEBRATION

October 10 & 11, 2009 – 10AM to 5PM Both Days
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
IN THE GRANDSTAND

Hello Everyone!

It’s hard to believe that the 2009 21st MCBA FallCon Comic Book Celebration is just around the corner! We just wanted to send out a brief shout out to let you know that we’re hard at work on FallCon 2009 and have set the bar high this year!

60,000 Square feet of comic book action!

We’ve included a very brief look at some of the elements of this years Celebration. Expect things to start coming together at a fast and furious pace in the next couple of month and expect to hear more from us in the near future!

SHAMELESS REQUEST! Please consider sharing this web site with friends, family or someone who might enjoy being part of our community! We’re working hard to make FallCon the very best it can be and when our friends stand shoulder to shoulder with us, awesome things happen!

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us at MNCBA@aol.com.

Thanks! We look forward to seeing you soon and we’ll be in touch!

- Midwest Comic Book Association Volunteers